Sticking Life’s Landings

Initially published in the DURHAM NEWS on 10/5/2016   “Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, … and done a hundred things you’ve not dreamed of–wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence … put out my hand, and...

Exploring Space is Our Destiny

Initially published in the Raleigh News & Observer November 23, 2016.   Two thousand years ago, effusive in his wonder and reverence, the Alexandrian mathematician and astronomer Ptolemy wrote in the “Almagest”: “When I trace, at my...

Learning the Thunder

Reflecting on the milepost of my 25 consecutive years as a licensed NC physician assistant, the last 20 at Duke, I recalled my black leather medical bag which was a graduation gift. As I’ve been 100 percent hospital-based for the past 22 years, it hasn’t...

Cicadas and Other Cycles

Initially published in the Raleigh News & Observer on February 7, 2016        “Today I will no longer hide my light. Today I hold my head high; and I will look you in the eye and tell you of my wasted years, gifts, talents and experiences.” When I left...